System and method for periodic wireless mesh creation

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for the periodic creation of wireless mesh networks are disclosed. In order to save power the nodes in the mesh network may periodically switch from being in a broadcast mode and a skip cycle. When in the broadcast mode the node may cycle broadcasting new IDs in order to prevent spoofing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/421,614, filed on Nov. 14, 2016.

BACKGROUND

In some conventional mesh networks, control and management isimplemented utilizing remote transmitters (e.g., beacons) that emit anidentifier to compatible receiving devices (mesh nodes), triggeringdelivery of a targeted push notification. These transmitters operate aspart of a targeted notification system that includes a database ofidentifiers for each transmitter and targeted notifications. The emittedidentifiers are unique to each transmitter, allowing the notificationsystem to determine the location of the receiving device based on thelocation of the transmitter.

Conventional transmitters do not communicate with an administrator tominimize power consumption. As a result, the transmitters do not providestatus information or alert administrators when mesh node battery levelsare low. Further, conventional transmitters emit static identifiers.These identifiers are susceptible to spoofing.

A solution is needed to minimize power consumption on battery poweredmesh node devices and reduce susceptibility to spoofing of transmitterswhile permitting communication between the transmitters and anadministrator.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned problems by implementingsystems and methods for the periodic creation of wireless mesh networksare disclosed. In order to save power the nodes in the mesh network mayperiodically switch from being in a broadcast mode and a skip cycle.When in the broadcast mode the node may cycle broadcasting new IDs inorder to prevent spoofing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless mobile mesh network 100 in accordance withone embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a mesh network system environment 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a system for periodic wireless meshcreation 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a system for integrating buildingautomation with location awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology400.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a system 500 for integratingbuilding automation with location awareness utilizing wireless meshtechnology.

FIG. 6 illustrates an aspect of a system for integrating buildingautomation with location awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology600

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a system for integrating buildingautomation with location awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology700.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800.

FIG. 9 illustrates a system 900 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a mobile wireless node 1002.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Herein various embodiments of systems and methods for the periodiccreation of wireless mesh networks are disclosed. These embodiments maybe operated within a mesh network environment using various wirelessprotocols and technologies, including those defined below.

Mesh Network

A mesh network is a type of machine communication system in which eachclient node (sender and receiver of data messages) of the network alsorelays data for the network. All client nodes cooperate in thedistribution of data in the network. Mesh networks may in some casesalso include designated router and gateway nodes (e.g., nodes thatconnect to an external network such as the Internet) that are or are notalso client nodes. The nodes are often laptops, cell phones, or otherwireless devices. The coverage area of the nodes working together as amesh network is sometimes called a mesh cloud.

Mesh networks can relay messages using either a flooding technique or arouting technique. Flooding is a routing algorithm in which everyincoming packet, unless addressed to the receiving node itself, isforwarded through every outgoing link of the receiving node, except theone it arrived on. With routing, the message is propagated through thenetwork by hopping from node to node until it reaches its destination.To ensure that all its paths remain available, a mesh network may allowfor continuous connections and may reconfigure itself around brokenpaths. In mesh networks there is often more than one path between asource and a destination node in the network. A mobile ad hoc network(MANET) is usually a type of mesh network. MANETs also allow the clientnodes to be mobile.

A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a mesh network of radio nodes. Wirelessmesh networks can self-form and self-heal and can be implemented withvarious wireless technologies and need not be restricted to any onetechnology or protocol. Each device in a mobile wireless mesh network isfree to move, and will therefore change its routing links among the meshnodes accordingly.

Mesh networks may be decentralized (with no central server) or centrallymanaged (with a central server). Both types may be reliable andresilient, as each node needs only transmit as far as the next node.Nodes act as routers to transmit data from nearby nodes to peers thatare too far away to reach in a single hop, resulting in a network thatcan span larger distances. The topology of a mesh network is alsoreliable, as each node is connected to several other nodes. If one nodedrops out of the network, due to hardware failure or moving out ofwireless range, its neighbors can quickly identify alternate routesusing a routing protocol.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary wireless mobile mesh network 100includes a server node 102, a router node 110, a router node 112, arouter node 106, a router node 104, a gateway node 114, and a gatewaynode 108. The server node 102, the gateway node 114, and the gatewaynode 108 also operate as router nodes. Every node in the networkparticipates in the routing of communications in the wireless mobilemesh network 100. The gateway node 114 and gateway node 108 provide aninterface between the wireless mobile mesh network 100 and an externalnetwork, such as the Internet or a local area network. The server node102 provides some level of centralized management for the wirelessmobile mesh network 100, and may be optional if each node actsautonomously to self-manage. One or more of the nodes may be fixed inlocation, some of the nodes may be mobile, or all of the nodes may bemobile.

Beacon

Referencing FIG. 2, a mesh network system environment 200 includes abeacon 202, a network 216, a mobile device 210, a beacon database 218,and an advertisement database 222. The beacon 202 includes a transmitter204 and a battery 206. The beacon 202 transmits a beacon identifier 208to the mobile device 210. The mobile device 210 includes applicationlogic 212. The application logic 212 communicates with the beacondatabase 218 to perform a lookup of the beacon ID 214. The beacondatabase 218 communicates details of the lookup with the advertisementdatabase 222 to select a targeted ad 224 to deliver to the mobile device210.

The mobile device 210 detects the beacon ID 214 and performs a lookup ofthe beacon 202 in the beacon database 218. The beacon 202 may operate ona limited power supply. The beacon 202 may communicate with the mobiledevice 210 yet be out of range for communicating with an administrativedevice or management node. The beacon ID 214 may be utilized to identifythe location of the mobile device 210 based on the location of thebeacon 202.

Periodic Mesh System

Referencing FIG. 3, a system for periodic wireless mesh creation 300comprises beacon 302, beacon 306, beacon 308, beacon 314, a mobiledevice 312, a network 326, a beacon/advertisement database 328, a beaconmanagement system 350, and a management node 310.

The beacon 302 comprises a transceiver 338, a battery 344, and memory342 comprising device logic 340. The beacon 302 operates in a broadcastmode 322 during which the beacon 302 emits a beacon ID 318 to a mobiledevice 312. The beacon 302 operates in the broadcast mode 322 until asynchronization time 320 triggers the beacon 302 to form a periodic meshnetwork 304 with beacon 306, beacon 308, and beacon 314 to communicatewith the management node 310.

The management node 310 communicates a sync package 348 comprising a newbeacon ID 332 and a sync interval 324 to the periodic mesh network 304.The management node 310 communicates the beacon status 346 to the beaconmanagement system 350 by way of the network 326.

The mobile device 312 comprises application logic 330. The applicationlogic 330 performs a lookup of beacon ID 336 through thebeacon/advertisement database 328 by way of the network 326. Thebeacon/advertisement database 328 identifies a selected ad 334 from thebeacon ID 336 and communicates the selected ad 334 to the mobile device312 by way of the network 326.

The system for periodic wireless mesh creation 300 may be operated inaccordance with the process described in FIG. 8.

The beacons of the system for periodic wireless mesh creation 300 mayoperate as nodes in a system for integrating building automation withlocation awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology illustrated inFIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7.

Location Awareness

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a system for integrating buildingautomation with location awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology400, comprising node 420, node 426, node 404, node 414, and node 408.

The node 420 comprises the tracking tag 424, and the access point 422.The node 426 comprises the access point 428 and the tracking tag 430.The node 404 comprises the tracking tag 402 and the access point 406.The node 408 comprises the access point 410 and the tracking tag 412.The node 414 comprises the access point 416 and the tracking tag 418.Each node is enabled to communicate via its respective access point andthus may be part of a mesh network that is reliable and resilient, aseach node needs only transmit as far as the next node.

The technology 400 may be established on an existing automation network,with each node within the network having an access point and a trackingtag. The high density of access points for assets allows tracking ofnodes and tags to be more accurate.

Referring to FIG. 5, a building automation and location awarenessenvironment 500 comprises an automation controller 504 and buildingautomation devices 502, 506, and 508. The automation controller 504 maybe a combination of hardware and software that serves as a centralmanager of a building automation system. The automation controller 504may be configured to control appliances (e.g. robots), control an indoorenvironment (e.g. lighting, heating, etc.), and track assets, amongother tasks, within a building. The automation controller 504 may behosted on a server and may be located on premises or off site. Further,the automation controller 504 may be networked with building automationdevices 502, 506, 508 each of which may provide an access point for amesh network. The building automation devices 502, 506, 508 may have afixed location (e.g. a wall mounted wireless router) or may be mobile(e.g. a mobile phone or tablet).

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a system 600 for integratingbuilding automation with location awareness utilizing wireless meshtechnology. The system 600 comprises a tracked object 602, a node 604, anode 606, a node 608, a signal 610, a signal 612, a signal 614, and asmart phone 616.

Nodes listen to signals from other nodes and tags on the mesh networkand relay that information to the gateway. The gateway may locate itselfutilizing signal strength and signal angle of arrival (directionalantenna) from the nodes and tags on the mesh network.

The node 606, node 608 or node 604 may be designated as “anchor nodes”may be to help efficiently determine location and identification ofother tracked objects relative to themselves.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a system for integrating buildingautomation with location awareness utilizing wireless mesh technology700, including a node 708, node 710, node 712, node 714, node 716, agateway 704, a gateway 706, and application layer 718 and an automationcontroller 702.

Due to their proximity, node 712, node 710, and node 708 may be groupedtogether to form a mesh network that can communicate with the gateway704. Similarly node 714 and the node 716 may form a mesh network andcommunicate with gateway 706. Gateway 706 and the gateway 704 pick upand aggregate data from their respective nodes and may determinerelative location and respective signal strength. Utilizing such tieredaggregation allows for learning at the cloud level (e.g. in theapplication layer).

Periodic Mesh Process

Referencing FIG. 8, a process for periodic wireless mesh creation 800begins a cycle of operating a beacon in broadcast mode before switchingto a wireless mesh mode to create a periodic wireless mesh network.(start block 802). In block 804, the process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800 begins operating the beacon in broadcast mode. The beaconidentifies a nearby compatible device and transmits beacon ID to thenearby device (block 806). In decision block 808, the process forperiodic wireless mesh creation 800 checks if it is the synchronizationtime.

If the process for periodic wireless mesh creation 800 determines thatit is not the synchronization time, the beacon continues to operate inbroadcast mode (block 804). Otherwise, the process for periodic wirelessmesh creation 800 determines it is the synchronization time and thebeacon switches to the wireless mesh mode (block 810). During wirelessmesh mode the beacon bridges connections with nearby beacons to form awireless mesh (block 812).

In decision block 814, the process for periodic wireless mesh creation800 determines whether the beacon is connected to a master node. If theprocess for periodic wireless mesh creation 800 determines that thebeacon is not connected to a master node, the process for periodicwireless mesh creation 800 uses the current synchronization time (block828) to set the next synchronization time (block 826) and waits for thecycle to start (start block 802). Otherwise, if the process for periodicwireless mesh creation 800 determines the beacon is connected to amaster node, the beacon transmits device status information to themaster node (block 816).

In decision block 818, the process for periodic wireless mesh creation800 determines if the beacon has received a synchronization package fromthe master node. If the process for periodic wireless mesh creation 800determines that beacon has not received a synchronization package fromthe master node, the process for periodic wireless mesh creation 800uses the current synchronization interval (block 828) to set the nextsynchronization time (block 826) and waits for the cycle to start (startblock 802). Otherwise, if the process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800 determines the beacon has received a synchronizationpackage from the master node, the process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800 sets a new synchronization interval for the beacon (block820) and sets the next synchronization time using the new interval(block 826) and waits for the cycle to start (start block 802).

In decision block 822, the process for periodic wireless mesh creation800 determines whether the beacon has received instructions to broadcasta new beacon ID during broadcast mode. If the process for periodicwireless mesh creation 800, determines that the beacon has notinstructions to broadcast a new beacon ID, the process for periodicwireless mesh creation 800 continues using the current beacon ID duringthe broadcast mode (block 830) and waits for the cycle to start (startblock 802). Otherwise, if the process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800 determines the beacon has received instructions tobroadcast a new beacon ID, the process for periodic wireless meshcreation 800 sets the new beacon ID for using during the broadcast mode(block 824), and waits for the cycle to start (start block 802).

Hardware

FIG. 9 illustrates several components of an exemplary system 900 inaccordance with one embodiment. In various embodiments, system 900 mayinclude a desktop PC, server, workstation, mobile phone, laptop, tablet,set-top box, appliance, or other computing device that is capable ofperforming operations such as those described herein. In someembodiments, system 900 may include many more components than thoseshown in FIG. 9. However, it is not necessary that all of thesegenerally conventional components be shown in order to disclose anillustrative embodiment. Collectively, the various tangible componentsor a subset of the tangible components may be referred to herein as“logic” configured or adapted in a particular way, for example as logicconfigured or adapted with particular software or firmware.

In various embodiments, system 900 may comprise one or more physicaland/or logical devices that collectively provide the functionalitiesdescribed herein. In some embodiments, system 900 may comprise one ormore replicated and/or distributed physical or logical devices.

In some embodiments, system 900 may comprise one or more computingresources provisioned from a “cloud computing” provider, for example,Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (“Amazon EC2”), provided by Amazon.com,Inc. of Seattle, Wash.; Sun Cloud Compute Utility, provided by SunMicrosystems, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.; Windows Azure, provided byMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and the like.

System 900 includes a bus 902 interconnecting several componentsincluding a network interface 908, a display 906, a central processingunit 910, and a memory 904.

Memory 904 generally comprises a random access memory (“RAM”) andpermanent non-transitory mass storage device, such as a hard disk driveor solid-state drive. Memory 904 stores an operating system 912 and aprocess for periodic wireless mesh creation 800.

These and other software components may be loaded into memory 904 ofsystem 900 using a drive mechanism (not shown) associated with anon-transitory computer-readable medium 916, such as a floppy disc,tape, DVD/CD-ROM drive, memory card, or the like.

Memory 904 also includes database 914 and a beacon/advertisementdatabase 328. In some embodiments, system 900 may communicate withdatabase 914 and the beacon/advertisement database 328 via networkinterface 908, a storage area network (“SAN”), a high-speed serial bus,and/or via the other suitable communication technology.

In some embodiments, database 914 may comprise one or more storageresources provisioned from a “cloud storage” provider, for example,Amazon Simple Storage Service (“Amazon S3”), provided by Amazon.com,Inc. of Seattle, Wash., Google Cloud Storage, provided by Google, Inc.of Mountain View, Calif., and the like.

Referring to FIG. 10, a mobile wireless node 1002 includes an antenna1016, a signal processing and system control 1004, a wirelesscommunication 1006, a memory 1008, a power manager 1010, a battery 1012,a router 1014, a mobile wireless node 1002, and a gateway 1018.

The signal processing and system control 1004 controls and coordinatesthe operation of other components as well as providing signal processingfor the mobile wireless node 1002. For example the signal processing andsystem control 1004 may extract baseband signals from radio frequencysignals received from the wireless communication 1006 logic, and processbaseband signals up to radio frequency signals for communicationstransmitted to the wireless communication 1006 logic. The signalprocessing and system control 1004 may comprise a central processingunit, digital signal processor, one or more controllers, or combinationsof these components.

The wireless communication 1006 includes memory 1008 which may beutilized by the signal processing and system control 1004 to read andwrite instructions (commands) and data (operands for the instructions).The memory 1008 may include device logic 340 and application logic 330.

The router 1014 performs communication routing to and from other nodesof a mesh network (e.g., wireless mobile mesh network 100) in which themobile wireless node 1002 is utilized. The router 1014 may optionallyalso implement a network gateway 1018.

The components of the mobile wireless node 1002 may operate on powerreceived from a battery 1012. The battery 1012 capability and energysupply may be managed by a power manager 1010.

The mobile wireless node 1002 may transmit wireless signals of varioustypes and range (e.g., cellular, WiFi, BlueTooth, and near fieldcommunication i.e. NFC). The mobile wireless node 1002 may also receivethese types of wireless signals. Wireless signals are transmitted andreceived using wireless communication 1006 logic coupled to one or moreantenna 1016. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation may be used tointeract with proximate devices, such as infrared (not illustrated).

Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are variouslogic implementations by which processes and/or systems described hereincan be effected (e.g., hardware, software, or firmware), and that thepreferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes aredeployed. If an implementer determines that speed and accuracy areparamount, the implementer may opt for a hardware or firmwareimplementation; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, theimplementer may opt for a solely software implementation; or, yet againalternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware,software, or firmware. Hence, there are numerous possibleimplementations by which the processes described herein may be effected,none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle tobe utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which theimplementation will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which mayvary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects ofimplementations may involve optically-oriented hardware, software, andor firmware.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that logic may be distributedthroughout one or more devices, and/or may be comprised of combinationsmemory, media, processing circuits and controllers, other circuits, andso on. Therefore, in the interest of clarity and correctness logic maynot always be distinctly illustrated in drawings of devices and systems,although it is inherently present therein. The techniques and proceduresdescribed herein may be implemented via logic distributed in one or morecomputing devices. The particular distribution and choice of logic willvary according to implementation.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, orexamples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examplescontain one or more functions or operations, it will be understood asnotorious by those within the art that each function or operation withinsuch block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. Portions of the subjectmatter described herein may be implemented via Application SpecificIntegrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs),digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However,those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of theembodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalentlyimplemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computerprograms running on one or more processing devices (e.g., as one or moreprograms running on one or more computer systems), as one or moreprograms running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or moreprograms running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or asvirtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry orwriting the code for the software or firmware would be well within theskill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. Inaddition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanismsof the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributedas a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrativeembodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equallyregardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used toactually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing mediainclude, but are not limited to, the following: recordable type mediasuch as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, flashdrives, SD cards, solid state fixed or removable storage, and computermemory.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyor collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types ofcircuitry.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto describe devices or processes in the fashion set forth herein, andthereafter use standard engineering practices to integrate suchdescribed devices or processes into larger systems. At least a portionof the devices or processes described herein can be integrated into anetwork processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation.Various embodiments are described herein and presented by way of exampleand not limitation.

References to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Unless the contextclearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims,the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed inan inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; thatis to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words usingthe singular or plural number also include the plural or singular numberrespectively, unless expressly limited to a single one or multiple ones.Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similarimport, when used in this application, refer to this application as awhole and not to any particular portions of this application. When theclaims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items,that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: anyof the items in the list, all of the items in the list and anycombination of the items in the list, unless expressly limited to one orthe other. Any terms not expressly defined herein have theirconventional meaning as commonly understood by those having skill in therelevant art(s).

Definitions

Various terminology is utilized herein, and should be assigned itsconventional meaning in the relevant arts unless expressly definedherein.

“Circuitry” in this context refers to electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, circuitry forming a generalpurpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., ageneral purpose computer configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes or devices described herein, or amicroprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partiallycarries out processes or devices described herein), circuitry forming amemory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), or circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,or optical-electrical equipment).

“Firmware” in this context refers to software logic embodied asprocessor-executable instructions stored in read-only memories or media.

“Hardware” in this context refers to logic embodied as analog or digitalcircuitry.

“Logic” in this context refers to machine memory circuits,non-transitory machine readable media, and/or circuitry which by way ofits material and/or material-energy configuration comprises controland/or procedural signals, and/or settings and values (such asresistance, impedance, capacitance, inductance, current/voltage ratings,etc.), that may be applied to influence the operation of a device.Magnetic media, electronic circuits, electrical and optical memory (bothvolatile and nonvolatile), and firmware are examples of logic. Logicspecifically excludes pure signals or software per se (however does notexclude machine memories comprising software and thereby formingconfigurations of matter).

“Programmable device” in this context refers to an integrated circuitdesigned to be configured and/or reconfigured after manufacturing. Theterm “programmable processor” is another name for a programmable deviceherein. Programmable devices may include programmable processors, suchas field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), configurable hardware logic(CHL), and/or any other type programmable devices. Configuration of theprogrammable device is generally specified using a computer code or datasuch as a hardware description language (HDL), such as for exampleVerilog, VHDL, or the like. A programmable device may include an arrayof programmable logic blocks and a hierarchy of reconfigurableinterconnects that allow the programmable logic blocks to be coupled toeach other according to the descriptions in the HDL code. Each of theprogrammable logic blocks may be configured to perform complexcombinational functions, or merely simple logic gates, such as AND, andXOR logic blocks. In most FPGAs, logic blocks also include memoryelements, which may be simple latches, flip-flops, hereinafter alsoreferred to as “flops,” or more complex blocks of memory. Depending onthe length of the interconnections between different logic blocks,signals may arrive at input terminals of the logic blocks at differenttimes.

“Software” in this context refers to logic implemented asprocessor-executable instructions in a machine memory (e.g. read/writevolatile or nonvolatile memory or media).

Wireless Protocols

Wireless mesh nodes that may utilize the disclosed embodiments mayimplement various wireless protocols, including but not limited to:

“6LowPAN”: an acronym of IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6) over Lowpower Wireless Personal Area Networks. It is a wireless standard forlow-power radio communication applications that need wireless internetconnectivity at lower data rates for devices with limited form factor.6LoWPAN utilizes the RFC6282 standard for header compression andfragmentation. This protocol is used over a variety of networking mediaincluding Bluetooth Smart (2.4 GHz) or ZigBee or low-power RF (sub-1GHz) and as such, the data rates and range may differ based on whatnetworking media is used.

“Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE)—or Bluetooth Smart”: a wireless personalarea network technology aimed at reduced power consumption and costwhile maintaining a similar communication range as traditionalBluetooth. Like traditional Bluetooth, the frequency utilized is 2.4 GHz(ISM-Industrial, Scientific and Medical), the maximum range is generally50-150 m with data rates up to 1 Mbps.

“Cellular”: a communication network where the last link is wireless. Thenetwork is distributed over land areas called cells and utilizes one ofthe following standards GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS/HSPA (3G), LTE (4G).Frequencies are generally one of 900/1800/1900/2100 MHz. Ranges are 35km max for GSM; 200 km max for HSPA and typical data download rates are:35-170 kps (GPRS), 120-384 kbps (EDGE), 384 Kbps-2 Mbps (UMTS), 600kbps-10 Mbps (HSPA), 3-10 Mbps (LTE).

“LoRaWAN”: Low Power Wide Area Network, a media access control (MAC)protocol for wide area networks for low-cost, low-power, mobile, andsecure bi-directional communication for large networks of up to millionsof devices. LoRaWAN is employed on various frequencies, with a range ofapproximately 2-5 km (urban environment) to 15 km (suburban environment)and data rates of 0.3-50 kbps.

“NFC”: “Near Field Communication” and is a subset of RFID (RadioFrequency Identifier) technology. NFC is standardized in ECMA-340 andISO/IEC 18092. It employs electromagnetic induction between two loopantennae when NFC devices are within range (10 cm). NFC utilizes thefrequency of 13.56 MHz (ISM). Data rates range from 106 to 424 kbit/s.

“SigFox”: a cellular-style system that enables remote devices to connectusing ultra-narrow band (UNB) technology and binary phase-shift keying(BPSK) to encode data. Utilizes the 900 MHz frequency and has a range of30-50 km in rural environments and 3-10 km in urban environments withdata rates from 10-1000 bps.

“Thread”: a wireless mesh network standard that utilizes IEEE802.15.4for the MAC (Media Access Control) and Physical layers, IETF IPv6 and6LoWPAN (IVP6). Thread operates at 250 kbps in the 2.4 GHz band. TheIEEE 802.15.4-2006 version of the specification is used for the Threadstack.

“Weightless”: an open machine to machine protocol which spans thephysical and mac layers. Operating frequency: 200 MHz to 1 GHz (900 MHz(ISM) 470-790 MHz (White Space)) Fractional bandwidth of spectrum band:<8% (for continuous tuning). Range up to 10 km and data Rates whichrange from a few bps up to 100 kbps

“WiFi”: a wireless network standard based on 802.11 family whichconsists of a series of half-duplex over-the-air modulation techniquesthat use the same basic protocol. Frequencies utilized include 2.4 GHzand 5 GHz bands with a range of approximately 50 m. Data rate of 600Mbps maximum, but 150-200 Mbps is more typical, depending on channelfrequency used and number of antennas (latest 802.11-ac standard shouldoffer 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps).

“Z-Wave”: a wireless standard for reliable, low-latency transmission ofsmall data packets. The Z-Wave utilizes the Z-Wave AllianceZAD12837/ITU-T G.9959 standards and operated over the 900 MHz frequencyin the US (Part 15 unlicensed ISM) and is modulated by Manchesterchannel encoding. Z-Wave has a range of 30 m and data rates up to 100kbit/s.

“ZigBee”: a wireless networking standard for low power, low data rate,and lost cost applications. The Zigbee protocol builds upon theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.4standard which defines a short range, low power, low data rate wirelessinterface for small devices that have constrained power, CPU, and memoryresources. Zigbee operates over the 2.4 GHz frequency, with a range of10-100 m and data rates of 250 kbps.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for periodically creating wireless meshnetworks comprising: a first beacon, a plurality of additional beaconsand, a beacon management node, wherein when a first beacon operates in abroadcast mode, broadcasting a unique beacon ID for a first syncinterval, wherein after the first sync interval the first beacon and theplurality of additional beacons switch to operate in a mesh mode andform a periodic mesh network, further wherein at least one of the nodesin the periodic mesh network communicates a beacon status to a beaconmanagement node, wherein the beacon management node sends a syncpackage, further wherein the sync package comprises of an updated beaconID and a second sync interval, wherein at least one node in the periodicmesh network receives the sync package and thus distributes theinformation in the sync package to the appropriate nodes in the periodicmesh network.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the sync package containsa unique updated beacon ID for each beacon in the periodic mesh network.3. The system of claim 1 wherein the sync package may instruct a beaconin the periodic mesh network to skip a cycle and not join next periodicmesh network.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the beacon managementnode connects to a persistent network.
 5. The system of claim 4 whereinthe beacon management node receives updated beacon IDs from a beacondatabase through the persistent network.
 6. The system of claim 4wherein the beacon management node is controlled by a beacon managementsystem through the persistent network.
 7. The system of claim 4 whereina mobile device receives the broadcasted beacon ID from the firstbeacon.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the mobile device receives anad, corresponding to the beacon ID, from an advertisement database. 9.The system of claim 1 wherein the first beacon comply with the BluetoothLow Energy standard.
 10. A method for periodically creating wirelessmesh networks comprising: A first beacon operating in a broadcast modeand broadcasting a unique beacon ID for a first sync interval, whereinafter the first sync interval the first beacon and the plurality ofadditional beacons switch to operate in a mesh mode and form a periodicmesh network, further wherein at least one of the nodes in the periodicmesh network communicates a beacon status to a beacon management node,wherein the beacon management node sends a sync package, further whereinthe sync package comprises of an updated beacon ID and a second syncinterval, wherein at least one node in the periodic mesh networkreceives the sync package and thus distributes the information in thesync package to the appropriate nodes in the periodic mesh network. 11.The method of claim 10 wherein the sync package contains a uniqueupdated beacon ID for each beacon in the periodic mesh network.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 wherein the sync package may instruct a beacon in theperiodic mesh network to skip a cycle and not join next periodic meshnetwork.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the beacon management nodeconnects to a persistent network.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thebeacon management node receives updated beacon IDs from a beacondatabase through the persistent network.
 15. The method of claim 13wherein the beacon management node is controlled by a beacon managementsystem through the persistent network.
 16. The method of claim 14wherein a mobile device receives the broadcasted beacon ID from thefirst beacon.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein the mobile devicereceives an ad, corresponding to the beacon ID, from an advertisementdatabase.
 18. The system of claim 10 wherein the first beacon complywith the Bluetooth Low Energy standard.
 19. A system for providingtargeted ads to a mobile device comprising: a beacon comprising atransmitter and a battery, wherein the transmitter is able to transmit abeacon identifier; a mobile device capable of receiving the beaconidentifier, and the device further comprising an application logic,wherein the application logic can translate the beacon identifier to abeacon ID and further look up the beacon ID in the cloud; a beacondatabase storing beacon IDs and the database is accessible by the cloud;an advertisement database that may be forwarded information about abeacon ID lookup and deliver a targeted ad to a mobile device requestingthe lookup.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the location of thebeacon is known and as such the location of the mobile device isapproximated accordingly based on the received signal strength of thebeacon identifier.